The reasons to flock to see Water for Elephants are not your typical musical theater must-haves. They include thrilling circus artistry and innovative puppetry, and, for those in the know, experiencing the adaptation of a beloved book-turned-movie-turned-theatrical romance. The touring company’s edge-of-seat daring was on display on opening night, as performers were tossed and caught, or were hanging and tumbling by a figurative thread, with only each other as a net.
“Water For Elephants: The Musical,” coming to the Benedum Center March 31-April 5, is purposefully, unapologetically theatrical. The show that takes its inspiration from the 2006 novel by Sara Gruen, comes alive with circus performers and life-sized puppets, including the elephant Rosie, a horse named Silver Star, and a dog named Queenie.
From the first appearance of the iconic DeLorean time machine on the Benedum Center stage, “Back to the Future: The Musical” takes off with the whoop and wow of a theme park attraction, powered by high-energy performances and crowd-pleasing special effects wizardry. Just as in the original 1985 movie, there’s magic in the DeLorean’s journey to the past, with the added thrill of seeing it all happen live, courtesy of the national tour presented by Pittsburgh CLO.
The tour of “Back to the Future, the Musical” brings home Point Park alum Brittany Bohn, the show’s dance captain, and the wow factor that won an Olivier Award for best new musical. The show also was nominated for a scenic design Tony Award, which means we can expect techno-wizardry and a DeLorean time machine powered by “a flux capacitor.”
“Mark Fleischer, who knows Matt [Castle] and Frank from Brainstorm Records, called them and said, ‘What on earth is this thing you’re doing with my favorite Champagne?’ And they said, ‘Oh, I think you might have to talk to Laurie. He didn’t even know I was from Pittsburgh, and I mean, my whole family is from Pittsburgh. And so it feels like bringing it home.”
By SHARON EBERSON Some Like It Hot is a movie with music that swings, and the musical based on the movie takes that to heart. Set in the Prohibition era, the stage production dances and sings its way from beginning… Read More ›
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By SHARON EBERSON Pittsburgh CLO’s 2025 summer just got one-production bigger with the announcement that it will present the premiere of Madame Clicquot: A Revolutionary Musical, a lead-in to the three-show subscription season. Madame Clicquot will be produced as “a… Read More ›
By CAMILLE AGIE “They say I have the best ass below 14th Street,” is a declaration spoken by Mimi, a young woman and drug addict, with a perfect combination of confidence and humor. Funny and flirty though she seems, as… Read More ›
